'First ever' heat warning issued for Sweden

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Swedish weather agency SMHI has issued its first ever warning for high temperatures with the many areas set to bask in plus 30C heat.

"We began to issue warnings last year, but then temperatures never reached up to these levels," said Lovisa Andersson at Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI).

"For a Class 1 warning it is required that the maximum daytime temperatures go up at 30C or more, three days in a row," she explained.

A class 1 warning means that weather conditions carries certain risks to the public and disruption for some societal functions.

The heat warning applies to the northern areas of the country, in Västernorrland, Västerbotten and Norrbotten. All these areas have been experiencing temperatures well above those experienced in other areas of the country for the past week.

Despite the highs expected, Sweden still has some way to go before records are broken.

The record temperature for 2014 so far was set in Junsele, northern Sweden, on July 9th when the mercury hit 31.8C. Sweden's all time record temperature was recorded in 1933 in Ultuna and Målilla - a staggering 38C.